82 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



CHAPTER Vin. 



Sowing, Manner of; Time of; Depth of, etc. Combination of Vegetable 

 Crops. Transplanting, Ridging, Hilling, etc. 



SOWING. 

 MANNER OP SOWING. 



IN broadcast sowing the land is generally laid off, either by 

 furrows or sight-poles, into spaces of suitable width for two 

 casts of the seed, which meet and slightly overlap as the sower 

 throws the return cast ; but in small lots the eye is often de- 

 pended on to gauge these distances. 



To perform the operation rightly, a basket or sheet contain- 

 ing the seed is slung upon the right shoulder and across the 

 breast, so as to be partially under the left arm and governed 

 by the left hand. The sower beats time as he steps, dipping 

 a handful of seed with his right hand at each advance of the 

 left foot, and casting it with a steady sweep as he steps for- 

 ward with the right. A good sower does not cast the seed 

 from his hand at once, and right before him, as in feeding 

 chickens, which would cause it to fall in streaks, but, by adroit 

 management with his thumb, and an upward cast, spreads it 

 as it issues, causing it to fall in a broad, scattering shower, 

 like the spreading jet of water drops from an engine-pipe when 

 thrown into a showering semicircle by the finger of the en- 

 gineer. 



In broadcasting small beds or plots in the garden a pinch 

 of seed is taken instead of a handful, but the same skill is 

 used to spread it evenly as it is thrown. 



In drill sowing, also, a large pinch of seed only is taken, 

 which, in the process of sowing, is strickled along the drill by 

 just such a motion of the thumb upon the fore and middle 

 fingers as a skillful housewife uses in carefully salting a steak. 

 A smart boy accustomed to the work will sow evenly, and of 

 any desired thickness, at the rate of a fast walk, or faster in 

 an emergency. 



